Just because it's labeled 'organic' doesn't mean it won't make you fat
As Americans struggle to become better informed about the food they eat, a new University of Michigan study published in the journal Judgment and Decision Making shows that some eaters may be confusing "organic" with "good for you."
The study, by U-M Ross School of Business marketing professor Nobert Schwarz and his colleague Jonathon Schuldt, found that Americans believe that organic food is lower in calories than conventional food and are more likely to consume more of it than they would if it were not labeled as organic.
Participants in the study were also less likely to recommend exercise to people eating organic foods, seemingly making the assumption that making "healthy" food choices obviates the need to need to engage in healthy exercise activities.
"As millions of Americans attempt to lose weight, eating organic foods - even desserts - may be viewed as a substitute for actual weight-loss-promoting behaviors," Schuldt said in a statement announcing the results of the study from the U-M. "Our findings suggest that organic claims may not only foster lower calorie estimates and higher consumption intentions, but they may also convey that one has already made progress toward one's weight-loss goal, thus undermining subsequent action."
Comments
bunnyabbot
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 12:17 p.m.
@ Patti Smith, also realize that the calories labeled were on weighed (controled) samples of the products, in the hands of the casual worker your salad was thrown together, so assume a 5-10% difference when counting your calories, your meal would have been closer to 1320! With salads, you want less calories order it plain (lettuce only) and have a little added back in the way of "stuff". Ask for the dressing on the side and only use half of what they send. Always skip the bread. traditional fast food is usually more carefully weighed when prepared to control costs than casual dining etc. Not everything on the menu is going to make you fat. I have visited many fast food websites and made a note of what items I would most likely get and what the calorie count is and order accordingly. If I hit the drive thru at McDs I can get a McDouble (no onions or pickles) 380 calories which is only $1 and I never finish the bun, one of those will stave off hunger for 6 hours and I always have keep a couple bottles of water in the car. incidently, a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. It doesn't matter if its a burger or a salad if you are trying to lose weight. However somethings are easier to digest, effect blood sugar or clog your arteries. But with dressing and half the crap they put on salads a burger isn't worse and it has protein.
JSA
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 11:13 a.m.
If you think it is organic because it is labeled organic you had better think again.
AlphaAlpha
Wed, Jun 30, 2010 : 9:12 p.m.
After reading the study, it's quite suspect. Resources for it include the nice sounding OTA, the Organic Trade Association. The OTA is not pro consumer. Here is one accurate line from wiki: "The OTA has been widely criticized for being an agent of big business interests working to undermine the credibility of the organic movement." When 'studies' are 'announced', follow the money; you'll often find an agenda. Interestingly, the word 'fund' as in funding, does not appear in the study. It's unfortunate studies need not list their ingredients like foods do. So, doubly curious: who funded the study?
AlphaAlpha
Wed, Jun 30, 2010 : 8:52 p.m.
Hello Jessica Webster - Who funded this study? The study has the 'feel' of a Monsanto, or Archer Daniels, etc. behind it. Thank you.
48104
Wed, Jun 30, 2010 : 6:34 p.m.
The problem with fast food is it is so easy to get and consume and it is almost always much more calorically dense than the same thing you'd make at home. Similarly, you almost never used to see people walking around with beverages twenty years ago, and now almost everyone does, all the time. No one is really going to eat a stick of butter, organic or not, or be surprised that a Mocha Moo Latte at Dairy Queen has 16 billion calories. But I am not surprised a lot of people who want to believe they are making good choices would be very surprised that they are just eating more expensive junk.
Patti Smith
Wed, Jun 30, 2010 : 6:02 p.m.
I agree with Macabre Sunset. While fast food is bad for you, many foods that are touted as "healthy" actually have more calories. For example, I got a salad (and the free bagel that comes with it) from Einstein Brothers. I got the salad with no cheese and nuts with the dressing on the side. Before I ate it, I decided to look up the calories and it had close to 800. (Common sense should tell folks that cheese and nuts are highly caloric, but I certainly didn't think they'd be that high). The bagel added another 350. If I had eaten it as is, I'd have consumed almost 1200 calories in one meal. And don't get me started on some of those Subway subs....
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Jun 30, 2010 : 5 p.m.
And just because it's labeled McDonald's, it won't make you fat, either. Eating too much and not eating balanced meals will make you fat. I worry that all the negative press given to fast food is making people complacent about diets that seem to solely consist of avoiding fast food. When the primary problem in both places is downing 1,400 calories in a single sitting.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, Jun 30, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.
I used to think that organic meant healthy. But then I started to see a nutritionist and got a better idea of how things work.
T-bone
Wed, Jun 30, 2010 : 3:36 p.m.
Expecting organic to be healthy is like expecting birth control or Viagra to prevent sexually transmitted disease. Hello?
Ignatz
Wed, Jun 30, 2010 : 2 p.m.
The same holds true for "All Natural". Belladonna is all natural. Check the labels.